2015 BMW M235i: Swampy Seats

by Mike Magrath, Features Editor on September 23, 2015

A few months ago, I called out our 2015 BMW M235i as having the best seats in the fleet. Not only did it rhyme, but it was true. These things are great. Well-bolstered, lots of adjustment, great position — love 'em.

Until the mercury rises above 90. Then there are some issues.

One issue, actually: These seats don't breathe. Neither air nor sweat can enter or escape. Any bit of skin is instantly spot-welded to the Dakota Red leather only to be released and leave a pool of sweat deep enough to slightly float you above the material.

And this is with the top up. If the sun's been on the seats, they retain and radiate heat with the thermal effectiveness of a cast-iron griddle.

The picture here is the same picture I used for the original post. I chose this for a couple of reasons. First, I forgot to take a new picture of the seat. Two, you couldn't tell the seats were sticky via picture. Three, this is way more appealing than showing a picture of my back with dark wetspots on the shoulders and in that little pocket of meat right where your t-shirt hits your shorts. That would be disgusting. Nobody needs to see that.

"You jerks should've got the ventilated seats!" you're busy typing. No dice! Ventilated seats aren't available on the 235. Or the 435. Or any 2 series, 3 series or 4 series. You've got to step up to the 528 before you get this kind of fanciness and even then it costs $2,400 as part of the luxury seating package.